There has been no official word from either Marvel Studios or their Disney distribution partners to either confirm or shoot down the chatter, but it would certainly not come as a big surprise since there was movement on the idea as recently as January 2011.

Documentarian Mark Bailey was hired to take the latest crack at T’Challa, the African prince who becomes a hero as part of his royal family’s legacy. That would building on clues and easter eggs smuggled into the likes of Iron Man 2 (where T’Challa’s secretive home nation of Wakanda cropped up on a map) and Captain America (though it isn't directly mentioned, his shield’s vibranium comes from a mine underneath Wakanda). A member of the Avengers, he’s also been prominently featured in the animated adventures of the superhero team that predate this year’s movie.

The Panther hasn’t been the easiest character to adapt, however, with several attempts failing in the past. Even Wesley Snipes and Artisan / Lionsgate couldn’t make it work. Now it appears Marvel is definitely looking to get him lined up in his own franchise and, most likely, joining with Stark, Thor, Cap and company when the Avengers assemble once more. The comics version even ended up marrying X-Men's Storm, but competing studio interests are likely to stop that appearing onscreen any time soon.

We’ll have to wait and see what pans out. Meanwhile, why don’t you hit the Twitters and the comments to tell us who you see as T’Challa? We’ll open the discussion with the idea of Chronicle’s Michael B Jordan.

If all this talk of Marvel’s possible plans has you jonesing for some more concrete word on the future of the cinematic universe, why not check out the latest issue of Empire, which features an exclusive chat with company film boss Kevin Feige. You can get it in traditional paper format and also in shiny iPad versions for the UK and US.

There are many black actors in Hollywood, who can take on the role, all I want is the character's back story and screen time to be has good has Wesley Snipes in blade. The first blade movie set the standard for black super hero's taking box office money. Nuff Said!
Nick Furyy More

Djimon Hounsou is only like a year older than RDJ, so his age isn't that big a deal. Not to mention that T'Challa is often portrayed as middle-aged... He's in shape, and still a damn sight younger than Sly Stallone, who's making a second Expendables movie... More

Noel Clarke no way!! Idris Elba is already part of Thor's universe so he is a no go!! Dijmon honsou is to old he is like 50. Michael jai white maybe cause he has the martial arts back round. Anthony mackie is my choice or maybe even terry crews More

It's been said before and I'm going to say it again. This is a role perfect for Chiwetel Ejiofor. He can act, do accents, display gravitas and presence and to cap it off he can kick some serious arse. More

ComingSoon.net has already dispelled this as a myth. But, I'd love to see the character on the big screen! So many people think that he's a Batman rip-off, but he's nothing like Bats. I'd personally want to see Djimon Hounsou wear the mantle of the Panther! More

ComingSoon.net has already dispelled this as a myth. But, I'd love to see the character on the big screen! So many people think that he's a Batman rip-off, but he's nothing like Bats. I'd personally want to see Djimon Hounsou wear the mantle of the Panther! More

ComingSoon.net has already dispelled this as a myth. But, I'd love to see the character on the big screen! So many people think that he's a Batman rip-off, but he's nothing like Bats. I'd personally want to see Djimon Hounsou wear the mantle of the Panther! More

Idris Elba or Chewitel Ejiofor. They could convincingly do the action, along with the accents.
Id rather cast Rachel McAdams as the chracter than Noel Clarke (cant act, no charisma, not hard or deep voiced enough). No offence. More

I dont care who plays him, this just has to happen, Panther is one the best 'under dogs' in the marvel world, which is wrong he should be up there with the likes of cap and hulk etc and this film could put him there More

I'd love to see Idris elba in the role! Taken I hear you say? how bout Michael Jai White? To old I hear you say? chiwetel Ejiofor then or how about Anthony Mackie or newcomer Cory Hardrict? This one has got me really thinking there arent that many young black actors that are coming to mind. That Noel Clarke suggestion has to be a joke tho! Whoever they cast im excited about this one!!! More